When did the State of the Union become a red carpet event?

The Constitution directs the president to periodically brief Congress about the nation's needs. But not until Woodrow Wilson did a president deliver an address in person – and launch a tradition that is now in large part theater.

But the State of the Union message is in the Constitution, for goodness' sake. The Founding Fathers themselves thought it a good idea for the chief executive periodically to brief lawmakers on the nation's needs. And what we get now, as much as substance, is ceremony: the walk down the aisle, the scripted applause, and recognition of heroes in the balcony.

For much of America's first 125 years, it turns out, the State of the Union address was a written document. The Constitution (Article II, Section 3) says only that the president shall periodically "give" to Congress info on the SOTU and recommend measures judged "necessary and expedient."

There's nothing in there about pretending to enjoy shaking hands with lawmakers while trudging toward the well of the House.

Pre-Wilson, most SOTU messages were long documents that detailed executive branch activities. But Wilson wanted the presidency to be more dynamic, so he gave a shorter speech, in person. (Teddy Roosevelt wished he'd thought of it first.)

Since then, most have been gab-fests intended to showcase presidential initiatives in the most dramatic and attractive way possible.